In the first lesson of chapter 5, Jake introduces key terms and concepts you need to understand how different cutting processes work, helping you design parts that cut cleanly and accurately. He explains what’s happening behind the scenes when materials are laser cut, waterjet cut, or CNC machined, and how these processes influence your part’s final quality and precision.

Jake breaks down essential terms like kerf (the width of the cut), kerf offset, pierce, lead-in, burr, and heat-affected zone (HAZ), explaining how each impacts your part’s edges, tolerances, and surface finish. He also compares cutting methods:

• Fiber laser cutting uses heat and gas to cut metals quickly and precisely, with minimal heat effects.
• Waterjet cutting uses high-pressure water and an abrasive material, producing no heat but a wider kerf.
• CNC routing removes material with rotating tools, creating clean perpendicular edges but requiring different offsets.
• By understanding how each cutting process works, you’ll be able to design parts that align with real-world manufacturing limits and achieve consistent results.

What You’ll Learn:

• The key terms used in cutting processes: kerf, offset, pierce, lead-in, burr, and HAZ
• How fiber lasers, waterjets, and CNC routers cut materials differently
• Why kerf and offset affect your part’s accuracy and dimensions
• How material thickness and hardness influence burrs and edge quality
• Why understanding cutting mechanics helps you design better for manufacturing